Despite steady improvements in the quality of early childhood education and rising preschool attendance rates, new data shows more Australian children are entering school developmentally behind.
The percentage of children assessed as “developmentally on track” has dropped from 54.8% in 2021 to 52.9% in 2024. Alarmingly, 12.5% of children are now considered developmentally vulnerable in two or more areas — the highest figure since national data collection began.
Experts suggest a combination of social, economic, and post-pandemic factors may be contributing to the decline, raising concerns about long-term educational outcomes.
